What retailers need to know now
One week makes all the difference
While our endereco team in San Francisco was still researching the secrets of the American address system, we received a message that could hardly have been timed more ironically: As of August 22, 2025, DHL has stopped accepting business parcels to the US, with the exception of express shipments. These remain possible, but at a significantly higher cost.
For thousands of German online retailers who have been supplying the lucrative American market for years, this date marks the end of an era (at least temporarily). What is behind this and what alternatives remain?
The 800$ duty-free limit no longer exists
A decades-long success story comes to an end
Since the 1930s, shipments of goods up to a certain value could be imported into the USA duty-free, which is why European retailers in particular were able to tap into the American market easily. In 2016, this duty-free limit was raised to 800 US dollars, making the so-called „de minimis rule“ a virtual gift for international e-commerce.
A smart T-shirt for 50 euros, a cool electronic gadget for 200 euros or cosmetics sets for 150 euros - all of these could be sent directly to American customers without customs clearance, complex forms or additional fees. Millions of parcels used this simplified import route every year.
Trump's executive order changes everything
On August 29, 2025, an executive order came into force that completely eliminated this duty-free limit. The order, called „Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries“, makes a tabula rasa with a regulation that has been tried and tested for decades.
What that means in concrete terms:
- Before: Shipments under 800 USD = 0% Customs, no formalities
- AfterAll commercial shipments = customs duties between 80 and 200 USD per item, complex customs clearance
- The only exceptionPrivate gift shipments under 100 USD (correctly declared as „Gift“)
Why DHL no longer plays along
This new regulation makes the traditional DHL business model for US shipments unprofitable:
More complex customs clearanceEvery parcel, no matter how small, has to go through the full customs process. This means forms, goods codes, value declarations and potential inquiries from the US authorities.
Higher liability risks: Penalties may be imposed for false customs declarations.
Increased processing costsManual processing of customs documents makes low-cost parcel shipments uneconomical, because what used to be automated now requires individual processing.
Customer dissatisfaction pre-programmedAmerican recipients are suddenly confronted with unexpected customs duties.
The domino effect: why other postal services are following suit
But DHL is not alone in this, as the German shipping giant is following other European postal services with its decision:
Posten Bring (Norway) - Stop from September 2025
PostNord (Sweden/Denmark) - Discontinuation of USA services at the end of the year
Bpost (Belgium) - Suspension of parcel services from October 2025
Austrian Post - Examination of a similar measure
Why everyone has the same problem
The basic problem is systemic: National postal services are optimized for mass processing and standardization, but the new US customs regulations require individual processing of each shipment - the opposite of what postal companies can do efficiently.
The concrete effects for online retailers
Sample calculation: What a €200 package now costs
Previous calculation (until August 2025):
- Product value: 200€
- DHL Paket International: ~€25
- Customs: 0€ (below 800$ limit)
- Total cost: 225€
New reality (from September 2025):
- Product value: 200€
- DHL Express (only option): ~65€
- US inch (approx. 15%): ~€30
- Total cost: 295€ (+31%)
For the end customer, the shipment is therefore almost a third more expensive - a cost increase that calls many business models into question. If the parcel is then also returned because the address was incorrect, this ultimately results in immense costs that are almost impossible to calculate.
Which sectors are particularly affected
Fashion and accessoriesFashion items have relatively high margins, but the returns rate is usually very high. 30% higher shipping costs can completely eliminate profitability.
Electronics and gadgetsDuty rates can even exceed 15% for electronics, which, combined with higher shipping costs, makes the sale extremely unattractive.
Craft and DIYGerman quality work is very popular in the USA, which is why the new costs could practically end this market.
Beauty and wellnessCosmetics and dietary supplements are often subject to additional FDA regulations, which further increases the complexity.
The remaining options and their pitfalls
DHL Express: Expensive, but available
DHL Express shipments are not affected by the stop, but they cost around 2-3 times as much as a normal parcel shipment. For low-priced items, selling to the USA is therefore no longer worthwhile.
Alternative courier services: UPS, FedEx & Co.
International courier services remain available, but have similar cost structures to DHL Express. Some offer better conditions for business customers with high volumes.
What retailers can do now
Inform customersTransparent communication about higher costs is crucial for trust.
Adjust pricesThe new customs costs must be factored into the product prices.
Check alternative marketsCanada, Australia or other English-speaking markets could partially compensate for the loss of the USA.
Optimize product portfolio: Focus on higher-priced items where the additional costs are less significant.
Outlook: What's next?
The DHL decision is likely to trigger a chain reaction:
After Scandinavian and Belgian postal companies have already announced similar steps, other national postal service providers are now facing the same decision, as the complex US customs regulations affect them all equally.
DHL Express, UPS and FedEx will have to cope with a considerable increase in capacity. As demand for express services increases, prices for premium shipping options could rise sharply.
We are excited to see how the whole thing will develop.
Correct address data is now more important than ever
We certainly don't need to mention that.
With significantly fewer shipping options and therefore higher basic costs, every address error becomes a costly problem.
While small address errors can perhaps still be „forgiven“ with inexpensive postal delivery options, they lead directly to expensive rework with premium service providers such as DHL Express, which is why the pain threshold for address errors is likely to drop considerably.